Oakland A’s fans gets tickets through their cell phone

Come May 11, Oakland Athletics fans will be able to use their cell phones to pass through the turnstiles at McAfee Coliseum.

The team has launched a new ticket delivery program that allows you to get an eletronic copy of your ticket sent to your phone via picture messaging. All you do is wave the image of your electronic ticket on your phone by a bar code scanner and it’s like you have an actual ticket.

A’s officials say the technology allows fans to avoid will-call lines and the worries of losing a physical ticket. Fans can sign up when they purchase tickets online at oaklandathletics.com.

“The A’s organization is continually working to enhance the fan experience,” said Steve Fanelli, A’s director of ticket operations. “Mobile ticketing is another advancement that will give fans a convenient way to purchase and use A’s tickets.”

The A’s were the first to trial the Tickets@Phone technology last year and are one of three teams deploying the service this year. The A’s and Tickets.com will provide information about Tickets@Phone behind Section 120 during the A’s game against Cleveland on Friday, May 11.

The service should find an audience with the techno-literate. But that means the sentimental practice of keeping your ticket stub to remember your visit will no longer work here. It’s not the same thing trying to put a cell phone image in your scrapbook.